HEARD’s #DeafPrisonPhoneJustice Timeline This is a brief summary of HEARD’s efforts to force the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Department of Justice (DOJ), & prison phone corporations to ensure that all disabled incarcerated people have access to telecommunication, such as Videophones (VP), Captioned Telephones (CapTel), Teletypewriters (TTY) and more. November 2012 HEARD volunteers attend Prison Phone … Continued
ABOLITION DISABILITY JUSTICE
Films The two films we have selected for you share different perspectives on the experiences of deaf/disabled people directly impacted by carceral systems in the united states. “Deaf in Prison” offers firsthand accounts from currently incarcerated people, family members, and HEARD’s founder, Talila A. Lewis, many of which are still relevant to this day. “Breaking … Continued
JLM is a practical legal resource written to provide incarcerated people with information about their rights while in prison.
Calling home from prison is cumbersome and expensive. For deaf people behind bars, it’s even tougher, sometimes impossible.
To end mass incarceration, we must first begin to be honest about the real and deadly consequences of racism, classism and ableism. Closing Rikers is a step in the right direction, but in addition, the stories of deaf and disabled people must be amplified, and New York must take steps now to save them.
Videos from an 8-part interview with Felix, a wrongfully convicted (innocent) deafdisabled Latino man who has been incarcerated for more than 40 years. Learn more through the hashtag #FreeFelixGarcia
A new rule from the Federal Communications Commission requiring full access for incarcerated people with communication disabilities will go into effect in January 2024. This rule is a product of 10+ years of advocacy from HEARD alongside deaf/disabled incarcerated people and community members.
Jeremy “Jay” Woody is a deafdisabled man who was formerly incarcerated in Georgia Department of Corrections. In this Marshall Project article, Jay shares his story about the isolation, discrimination, and deprivation he experienced while incarcerated.
A working definition of the term “Ableism” by HEARD’s founder, Talila Lewis in community with other disabled Black/negatively racialized folk. This version of the definition was last updated in January 2022.